1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The stasis of the play is recognized when DHH has a phone conversation with a man named Bradd Wong, after the other voices and announcers introduce the background of him, about how Makintosh is hiring a white man to play an Asian pimp in "Miss Saigon". This is set in New York, where the broadway scene is very prevalent.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion comes when Marcus sort of admits to his "Face Value" costar, Jane, that he is actually white and not actually Asian at all. This causes a stir because DHH is focused on making sure directors hire people of the right race to play their respective roles, but he had hired a non-Asian to play an Asian, which goes against what he had been arguing against.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
During the 90's, Asian Immigration exploded which cause a new stigma toward these people. There had been anti-Japanese and anti-Vietnamese feelings prior, so it was a given that most people had general ill-feelings toward Asian immigrants. The play brings to light oppression that Asians faced during the time which were stereotypes, false profiling and racist accusations by the government, and under-representation. DHH believed that Asians should be considered best fit to represent themselves, as if a white person could represent them any better solely because they're white.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Marcus be exposed as a white man? If so, how, why, and who will do it? Marcus exposes himself with the help of DHH to the New York Times in order to show the oppression Asian Americans face solely for being an Asian, and even a white man can endure it just for saying he is Asian.
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
DHH is constantly at war with himself, because he has basically created Marcus and does not want to humiliate himself for "mistaking him" for being asian after criticizing Makintosh. On the other hand, he wants to expose Marcus. In this, he is in a silent war with Marcus, angry at him for keeping his mask on and also jealous of him for becoming a big role model for Asian Americans instead of DHH. There's not much mention of God or fate, but DHH is at war with society in the way that he is very careful with the moves he makes in public so that he does not get a bad reputation. He is also at war with American society in how they treat Asian Americans and let the government take advantage of them based on their race.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
The most theatrical moments are when Marcus admits he is white to Jane. Another would be when it is announced that Marcus is finding great roles and being honored as an exceptional Asian American. One of the biggest moments is when Marcus finds out he is under investigation, and then HYH finds out too, because of racial profiling. This leads to the very theatrical interview between DHH and the journalist from the New York Times. Finally, the play ends with a "bang" when DHH admits that Marcus was not a real person after all.
The stasis of the play is recognized when DHH has a phone conversation with a man named Bradd Wong, after the other voices and announcers introduce the background of him, about how Makintosh is hiring a white man to play an Asian pimp in "Miss Saigon". This is set in New York, where the broadway scene is very prevalent.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion comes when Marcus sort of admits to his "Face Value" costar, Jane, that he is actually white and not actually Asian at all. This causes a stir because DHH is focused on making sure directors hire people of the right race to play their respective roles, but he had hired a non-Asian to play an Asian, which goes against what he had been arguing against.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
During the 90's, Asian Immigration exploded which cause a new stigma toward these people. There had been anti-Japanese and anti-Vietnamese feelings prior, so it was a given that most people had general ill-feelings toward Asian immigrants. The play brings to light oppression that Asians faced during the time which were stereotypes, false profiling and racist accusations by the government, and under-representation. DHH believed that Asians should be considered best fit to represent themselves, as if a white person could represent them any better solely because they're white.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Marcus be exposed as a white man? If so, how, why, and who will do it? Marcus exposes himself with the help of DHH to the New York Times in order to show the oppression Asian Americans face solely for being an Asian, and even a white man can endure it just for saying he is Asian.
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
DHH is constantly at war with himself, because he has basically created Marcus and does not want to humiliate himself for "mistaking him" for being asian after criticizing Makintosh. On the other hand, he wants to expose Marcus. In this, he is in a silent war with Marcus, angry at him for keeping his mask on and also jealous of him for becoming a big role model for Asian Americans instead of DHH. There's not much mention of God or fate, but DHH is at war with society in the way that he is very careful with the moves he makes in public so that he does not get a bad reputation. He is also at war with American society in how they treat Asian Americans and let the government take advantage of them based on their race.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
The most theatrical moments are when Marcus admits he is white to Jane. Another would be when it is announced that Marcus is finding great roles and being honored as an exceptional Asian American. One of the biggest moments is when Marcus finds out he is under investigation, and then HYH finds out too, because of racial profiling. This leads to the very theatrical interview between DHH and the journalist from the New York Times. Finally, the play ends with a "bang" when DHH admits that Marcus was not a real person after all.